Player's suit will proceed

Posted: Monday, March 10, 2008

A former University of Georgia football star's lawsuit against the UGA Athletic Association has been on hold for more than two years while the athletic association and an insurance company fight over who will have to pay to defend UGA in the lawsuit.

But Georgia Supreme Court's recent decision to hear an appeal of the dispute between the insurance company and athletic association finally may allow former Bulldog Decory Bryant's lawsuit to go forward, said Bryant's lawyer.

Bryant was a junior cornerback with hopes of a career in professional football when he suffered a career-ending spinal injury in a game against the University of Alabama-Birmingham on Oct. 25, 2003.

Just days before the game, according to the lawsuit Athens lawyer Hue Henry filed in December 2004, Bryant asked UGA athletic officials to sign him up for a $500,000 insurance policy available to athletes who are considered pro prospects, as Bryant was.

The policy would pay Bryant if he suffered a career-ending injury -such as the broken neck he suffered in that fateful game.

But UGA didn't give Bryant the papers he needed to sign before he got hurt, according to Bryant's lawsuit, which accuses the athletic association of breach of contract, negligence and failing its fiduciary duty. The insurance company offering the coverage, Lloyd's of London, said Bryant wasn't covered and refused to pay.